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***
The day before Christmas Eve in Lisbon dawned with a soft golden light streaming through the curtains and the distant hum of the city waking up.
Outside, the streets were already buzzing with last-minute shoppers hurrying from stall to stall, hands clutching bags filled with gifts and treats. Decorations glimmered from every street corner, lights twinkling even in the daylight, while the smell of roasted chestnuts drifted through the crisp winter air.
Inside the cozy bedroom, Adriano stirred awake to the familiar aroma of his mother's cooking seeping up from the kitchen. He stretched lazily, feeling the comforting weight of a warm blanket over him.
It was the kind of feeling he missed most when away—waking up to the sounds and scents of home. Next to him, Kate lay curled up under the thick comforter, her hair sprawled across the pillow, her breathing soft and even.
A faint smile rested on her lips, like she was still dreaming of something sweet.
Adriano couldn't help but smile as he watched her, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. For a moment, he just stayed there, taking in the peacefulness of the morning.
Eventually, he leaned closer, his voice soft. "Wake up, sleepyhead," he whispered, his breath warm against her cheek. "We've got a city to explore."
A small groan slipped from Kate's lips, and she pulled the covers tighter over her head. "Five more minutes," she mumbled, her voice muffled and stubborn.
Adriano laughed, shaking his head. "If you don't get up," he teased, leaning down so his lips were right by her ear, "I'll eat all the pastéis de nata myself."
Her eyes shot open instantly, a look of disbelief on her face. "You wouldn't dare," she protested, her voice still heavy with sleep but laced with determination.
He grinned, already swinging his legs out of bed and stretching his arms. "Try me," he called back, tossing her a playful wink as he pulled on his sweater.
Kate squinted at him, then grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it across the bed.
Adriano caught it with ease, laughing as he set it aside. "You know," she said, finally sitting up and running her hands through her tangled hair, "I don't think I can let you out of my sight if you're going to threaten my sweets like that.".
He chuckled, moving to the window and peeking outside. "That's the spirit," he said, turning back to see her stretching and yawning, her reluctance to get up finally giving way to excitement. "Get dressed. I'll race you downstairs."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that a challenge?"
"Always," he shot back with a grin.
Within the hour, the two of them were bundled up and ready, scarves wrapped snugly around their necks and hands stuffed into warm gloves. They headed downstairs, where Rosa and Julio were already bustling around the kitchen.
The table was set with fresh bread, slices of cheese, butter, and a steaming pot of thick, rich hot chocolate. Rosa looked up as they entered, her face lighting up with a smile. "Ah, there they are! Come, sit, eat," she insisted, waving them over.
Adriano pulled out a chair for Kate, who sat down gratefully, rubbing her hands together for warmth. "Everything smells amazing," she said, eyeing the spread.
Rosa poured her a mug of hot chocolate, the steam curling up into the air. "It's the secret recipe," she whispered conspiratorially, setting the cup down in front of Kate. "Drink up. It'll warm you right to the bones."
Kate took a sip and her eyes went wide. "Wow," she murmured, the warmth spreading instantly through her. "This is... this is dangerous. I could drink about five of these."
Julio laughed, spreading butter over a thick slice of bread. "You should have seen Adriano when he was younger," he said, nodding towards his son. "He would drink three cups before school and still ask for more."
Adriano rolled his eyes. "I had to keep my strength up," he defended, grabbing a piece of bread for himself. "I was playing football every day, remember?"
"And breaking everything in the house," Rosa chimed in, shaking her head but smiling fondly.
Kate giggled, taking another sip of her hot chocolate. "I can picture that," she said, nudging Adriano. "Wreaking havoc and pretending it was all part of training."
"Hey," Adriano protested, but the grin on his face betrayed him. "It worked out in the end, didn't it?"
Julio chuckled. "It did," he agreed, raising his cup. "To hard work paying off."
"To hard work paying off," Kate echoed, lifting her mug as well.
They clinked cups gently, the soft chime ringing through the kitchen. For a few moments, they sat in contented silence, sipping their drinks and enjoying the warmth of family.
Outside, Lisbon was alive with Christmas spirit, but inside the little kitchen, it felt like the world had slowed just for them.
Adriano leaned back in his chair, glancing at Kate as she nibbled on a piece of bread. "You ready to see the city?" he asked.
She nodded eagerly, brushing the crumbs from her fingertips. "I can't wait."
Rosa beamed. "Good! And make sure you bring her back hungry," she insisted. "I've got enough food to feed an army."
Adriano laughed, pushing his chair back. "We'll do our best," he promised.
Julio clapped him on the back as they stood. "Enjoy yourselves, you two. Lisbon is beautiful this time of year."
With one last sip of hot chocolate, Kate bundled herself back up, and together she and Adriano stepped out into the brisk Lisbon air, ready to take on the city's winding streets and hidden corners.
And with that, the day before Christmas Eve truly began.
***
The drive into the heart of Lisbon was nothing short of magical. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets and historic buildings that lined the path.
Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed above them, draped elegantly between the ancient stone facades, shimmering softly in the winter light. Every corner seemed to burst with festive cheer—giant ornaments hung proudly from lampposts, wreaths decorated shop doors, and the scent of roasted chestnuts lingered in the air.
Adriano's parents let them go out and have fun while they set up the Christmas perparations.
Kate had her phone out almost immediately, her eyes wide with wonder as she snapped pictures from every angle, occasionally nudging Adriano and pointing excitedly at some new sight.
"Look at that window display," she gasped, practically pressing her face against the car window. A boutique had painted its entire front glass with a snowy winter scene, complete with tiny reindeer and an elaborately decorated sleigh. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her breath fogging the glass slightly.
Adriano smiled, glancing over at her with a hint of pride. "You haven't seen anything yet," he promised. "Wait until you see the mall."
Kate turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "The mall?" she echoed skeptically. "I mean, I've seen plenty of malls in L.A. and Florida. Pretty sure I've got that covered."
Adriano just chuckled and shook his head. "This isn't just any mall," he said confidently. "You'll see."
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the bustling parking lot of the Amoreiras Shopping Center. Even from the outside, Kate could sense the energy pouring out of the glass doors—families with bags of gifts, children bouncing with excitement, groups of friends laughing as they moved through the decorated entrance.
As they stepped inside, Kate's eyes widened. The entire atrium was transformed into a winter wonderland. A colossal Christmas tree stood at its center, towering nearly three stories high, adorned with glittering golden lights and massive red ribbons that spiraled down its length.
The base of the tree was surrounded by an elaborate setup—tiny wooden houses painted in bright colors, fake snow dusted across rooftops, and lights twinkling in synchronized patterns.
And right there, at the base of the tree, a queue had formed for the mall's Santa Claus. Children in thick scarves and woolen hats clutched wish lists tightly in their hands, their eyes wide with excitement. Parents stood off to the side, phones poised to capture the perfect shot, whispering reassurances to the more nervous little ones.
Kate stopped in her tracks, her eyes sparkling with pure delight. "Oh my God," she breathed out, her hand gripping Adriano's. She turned to him, eyes dancing with excitement. "We have to go see this!"
Adriano raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering across his face. "You want to get in line with the kids?" he teased, glancing at the sea of children gathered around Santa's elaborate throne.
Kate nudged him playfully. "I haven't taken a picture with Santa since I was like five," she said with a grin. "I think it's time to break that streak."
Adriano laughed, squeezing her hand. "I think we can make an exception," he agreed, nodding toward the line. "But I'm holding you to that. If you get cold feet, I'm dragging you up there myself."
Kate smirked, looping her arm through his. "You're on," she said confidently, pulling him toward the line.
They joined the queue, standing out slightly amidst the clusters of children and parents, but neither of them seemed to mind. Adriano glanced around, noticing a few people whispering and pointing, but Kate didn't seem to care.
Her eyes were fixed on the decorations, marveling at the fake snow that dusted the tiny rooftops and the twinkling lights that blinked in perfect rhythm.
"You know," Adriano said, leaning closer so only she could hear, "I half expected you to run up and jump in Santa's lap the second we walked in."
Kate snorted, shaking her head. "Tempting," she shot back, "but I'd hate to traumatize the poor guy before Christmas."
Adriano laughed, the sound carrying easily through the air." can't speak about Santa, but no guy would be unhappy if a pretty girl sat on their lap."
Kate laughed and smacked him, " Don't start that again. "
He felt a few more eyes on them—people finally recognizing him—but for once, he didn't care. Kate was beaming, the atmosphere was perfect, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like just another person enjoying the holidays.
When they finally reached the front of the line, the mall Santa looked up, his eyes widening slightly in recognition before he broke into a warm smile. "Ah, some big kids today!" he joked, motioning for them to come forward. "Come, come! No one's too old for Christmas spirit."
Kate grinned and pulled Adriano forward. "Guess it's our turn," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Adriano just laughed, shaking his head. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered under his breath, but the smile on his face betrayed him.
They stepped up to Santa's seat, and with a flourish, Kate sat right down beside him, patting the space next to her.
"Come on," she called to Adriano, her grin infectious. "You promised!"
Adriano hesitated for half a second before shrugging and plopping down beside her. The people in line laughed, a few even pulling out their phones to snap pictures.
Santa let out a deep, belly-shaking chuckle and threw his arms around them. "Say cheese!" he called out as the camera flashed.
Kate turned to Adriano, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm framing that," she whispered.
He just shook his head, smiling back at her. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
And for a moment, amidst the twinkling lights and soft hum of Christmas carols, they were just two people caught up in the spirit of the season, laughing and living in the moment.
***
Adriano and Kate lingered longer, watching Santa Claus greeted each child with the kind of warmth and patience that only the true spirit of Christmas could inspire.
One by one, kids shuffled forward, some dragging their parents by the hand, others bouncing on their toes in sheer excitement.
Santa leaned in to listen intently as each child whispered their wishes—some asked for toy cars, others for dolls, and one particularly enthusiastic boy even demanded a real-life dinosaur.
Adriano chuckled at that, nudging Kate as they stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold.
"Look at him," Adriano said, nodding toward Santa, who was currently high-fiving a little girl with pigtails. "He's really in the zone."
Kate turned to him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know," she began, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, "you'd make a pretty good Santa."
Adriano scoffed, giving her a look of disbelief. "Me? In that suit?" He glanced over at the plush red velvet and the towering white beard and shook his head. "I don't think so."
"Why not?" Kate pressed, nudging him playfully. "Imagine the look on those kids' faces if they knew who was under the beard. Cristiano who? They'd be lining up around the block."
Adriano smirked, but the idea seemed to plant itself in his mind. His gaze drifted back to Santa's chair, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. Kate watched him closely, a grin spreading across her face. "Wait… are you actually thinking about it?"
Adriano straightened up, dusting off his jacket with a flourish. "Only one way to find out," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Before Kate could respond, he was already making his way across the crowded atrium toward the mall manager, who was standing near the velvet ropes, overseeing the event.
Kate watched from a distance, her curiosity piqued. She saw Adriano lean in, exchanging a few hushed words with the manager, who initially looked stunned, then visibly excited when Adriano lowered his mask for a moment.
There was a quick shake of hands, a pat on the back, possible promise to take a photo and autograph, then Adriano strolled back to her, hands casually in his pockets and a grin plastered across his face.
Kate crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "What did you do?"
Adriano leaned in, his voice low. "You might want to grab your camera," he whispered with a wink.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You're kidding…"
He just smiled, nodding toward a staff door behind Santa's display. "Give me fifteen minutes."
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, the red curtain behind Santa's throne parted, and out stepped Adriano—dressed head to toe in the full Santa Claus ensemble.
Red velvet jacket, fluffy white cuffs, the classic floppy hat, and even the heavy black boots. His hands were covered in white gloves, and a thick, curly white beard was strapped securely around his face. He paused for effect, hands on his hips, eyes twinkling with pure mischief.
Kate burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand as she tried—and failed—to stifle her giggles. "You look…"
Adriano raised an eyebrow under the bushy white brow of the costume. "Like the best-looking Santa you've ever seen?" he finished with a smirk, spreading his arms wide in a showman's gesture.
Kate shook her head, still laughing. "I was going to say ridiculous, but sure, let's go with that."
Adriano just shrugged, unfazed. "Ridiculously good-looking," he corrected, giving her a playful wink.
At that moment, the mall manager stepped forward, tapping the microphone that hung near the entrance. His voice crackled through the speakers, drawing the attention of the families in line.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, beaming with pride, "we have a special guest Santa joining us for the next hour! Santa had to step away to feed the reindeer, but fear not—his good friend is here to fill in!"
The crowd clapped politely, mostly indifferent, but Kate could hardly contain her giggles. She had her camera ready, eyes locked on Adriano as he settled into the giant red throne with all the theatricality of a king taking his seat.
He adjusted the hat, gave his beard a little fluff, and threw up both hands. "Ho, ho, ho!" he bellowed in a deep, surprisingly convincing Santa voice. "Merry Christmas, everyone!"
A little boy at the front of the line, no older than six, glanced up at his mother nervously before stepping forward. Adriano leaned forward with a grin beneath the fake beard. "Come on up, little man!" he called, patting his knee. "Santa's got plenty of room!"
The boy hesitated for a split second before clambering up, his tiny hands gripping Adriano's arm for balance. He looked up, wide-eyed, and Adriano chuckled warmly.
"So, what's it gonna be this year? A firetruck? A new football? Maybe... both?"
The boy's eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly. "A firetruck!" he whispered, as if the wish might disappear if said too loudly.
Adriano nodded sagely. "A firetruck... now that's a good choice," he said thoughtfully. "I'll see what I can do." He gave the boy a gentle pat on the back before whispering something in his ear that made the kid's eyes widen with surprise.
The boy jumped off, running back to his parents with a massive grin plastered across his face. His parents snapped pictures, clearly oblivious to who was behind the beard.
Kate was nearly doubled over with laughter behind the velvet ropes, her camera clicking away. "You're actually good at this!" she called out, shaking her head.
Adriano just shrugged from his throne, waving the next child forward. "I have hidden talents," he called back with a wink.
Raul was the helper of Santa behind the scenes, noting down the gift requests and addresses to send them. He shook his head at the antic of his boss, stiol smiled.
For the next hour, Adriano fully embraced his role as Santa Claus, settling into the oversized red velvet chair with the kind of confidence that made even the mall staff do a double take.
His lean frame didn't fill out the suit perfectly, but his eyes twinkled with genuine warmth beneath the thick white beard. He looked every bit the part, minus the hint of athletic build that not even the costume could quite disguise.
The line stretched long, parents clutching the hands of eager children who clutched lists or babbled excitedly about what they would ask Santa for.
The first child, a tiny girl with curly blonde hair and a sparkly reindeer sweater, hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. Her eyes were wide, clutching her mother's hand like she was approaching royalty.
Adriano leaned forward, his voice booming yet gentle. "Well, hello there! What's your name?" he asked, patting his knee in invitation.
The girl looked up at her mom, who nodded encouragingly. She finally shuffled forward, climbing up with a little help from Adriano's steady hands. "I'm Emma," she whispered, her voice barely above a squeak.
"Emma! That's a beautiful name," Adriano said, nodding thoughtfully. He leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "So, Emma… have you been good this year?"
Emma's eyes grew even wider, and she nodded frantically. "I helped my mommy with the dishes!" she blurted out, as if trying to make her case.
Adriano chuckled warmly, his laugh a perfect imitation of Santa's. "Well, that certainly sounds like good behavior to me. So, tell me… what would you like for Christmas?"
She leaned in, her tiny hands cupping his ear as she whispered, "A Barbie Dreamhouse."
Adriano gasped theatrically, pulling back with exaggerated surprise. "A Barbie Dreamhouse? That's quite the wish! I'll make sure the elves work extra hard on that one."
He handed her a candy cane, his eyes twinkling. "And remember, more dishes wouldn't hurt either," he added with a playful wink.
Emma giggled, clutching the candy cane like it was made of gold. She climbed down, turning back to wave furiously at him. "Thank you, Santa!"
"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Emma!" Adriano called out, waving back with a big grin. Kate caught it all on camera, shaking her head with a wide smile.
"You're a natural," she whispered as the next child approached.
Adriano just winked back. "I've had practice. I make wishes come true for City fans every weekend," he teased, adjusting his fake beard. Kate rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh, angling her phone for a better shot.
Next up was a boy, maybe eight years old, with messy hair and a Manchester City scarf wrapped around his neck.
His eyes went wide the moment he got close, squinting at Adriano suspiciously. "You're not really Santa," he declared bluntly, folding his arms.
Adriano raised an eyebrow beneath his white bushy one. "Oh? And why's that, young man?" he asked, crossing his own arms in an exaggerated manner.
The boy leaned in, whispering like it was the most top-secret information in the world. "You're too tall. And… I think you're an imposter!"
Adriano chuckled, leaning back. "Well, well, well," he said, stroking his fake beard thoughtfully. "You've got sharp eyes. But you see, everyone help out during Christmas. It's part of spreading the cheer. I think anyone can be Santa, as long as they spread happiness, don't you?"
The boy's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Of course! Santa has helpers all over the world," Adriano replied smoothly. "Now, tell me, what do you want for Christmas?"
The boy grinned, the skepticism gone. "A signed Manchester City jersey! With Adriano's name on it!"
Adriano chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "A man of good taste, I see. I'll see what I can do." He handed over a candy cane and gave him a gentle pat on the back.
"Keep cheering for them, alright?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, running back to his father and shouting, "Santa's a City fan!"
Kate was laughing so hard she nearly dropped her phone. "You're impossible," she called out, still recording.
"And you love it," Adriano shot back with a grin.
The hour continued like that, with Adriano fielding requests for toys, games, and one particularly brave little girl who asked for a pony. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"I'll have to negotiate that one with your parents," he joked, and she giggled before hopping off his lap.
***
The line began to dwindle after nearly an hour, the excited chatter of children fading as they left with their candy canes and stories of meeting "Santa." Adriano stretched his back subtly under the red suit, ready to call it a wrap, when he noticed a small figure lingering near the edge of the queue.
The boy couldn't have been older than eight, bundled in a too-big, ragged coat that hung off his thin shoulders. His shoes were scuffed, laces frayed, and he stood alone, clutching a crumpled piece of paper.
Adriano's eyes softened beneath the white wig and beard. He gave the boy an encouraging wave. "Come on up, amiguinho," he called out, his voice still jolly and warm.
The boy hesitated, glancing around nervously as if waiting for someone to call him back. But when no one did, he stepped forward, his small hands stuffed into his coat pockets. He stopped a few feet away, eyes fixed on the floor.
Adriano leaned forward, softening his tone. "What's your name, little one?"
The boy's voice came out barely above a whisper. "Nuno."
"Nuno," Adriano repeated, nodding warmly. "That's a good name. Come, sit," he said, patting his knee gently.
Nuno hesitated but finally climbed up, settling in cautiously as if afraid to get too comfortable. Adriano adjusted his coat around the boy's shoulders, the fabric practically swallowing him whole.
"Now then, Nuno," Adriano began, keeping his tone light. "What do you want for Christmas? A football? Maybe a new bicycle?"
Nuno looked down, his hands fidgeting in his lap. His voice was soft but clear. "I… I want to meet Adriano."
The response caught Adriano off guard. He blinked behind the fake white beard, momentarily stunned. "Adriano? The footballer?" he asked, his voice still in character but softer, more careful.
Nuno nodded, his eyes lifting just a bit, a flicker of hope shining through. "Yes. He's my hero. I… I want to be a great player like him one day."
Adriano's smile faltered for just a heartbeat before he caught himself, glancing back at Kate. She stood there with her phone still recording, her hand over her mouth, eyes glistening. She met his gaze and gave a firm nod, her expression saying everything he needed to hear.
Adriano turned back to Nuno, leaning in conspiratorially. "And why do you want to meet him, hm? What makes him your hero?"
Nuno's gaze dropped again, his small fingers twisting together. "My mom is sick… really sick. And I hear… I hear Adriano helps out people in need. Last year, he gave people around here lots of gifts."
He swallowed hard, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I thought… maybe if I asked Santa to meet him… he could help her."
A heavy silence settled around them, the usual mall bustle fading into a distant hum.
Adriano felt his throat tighten. He took a deep breath, then gently patted the boy's shoulder. "Well, Nuno," he began, his voice cracking just slightly. "I think your wish might have just come true."
Before Nuno could respond, Adriano reached up, pulling off the fluffy white beard and then the red hat. His dark hair fell back into place, and his familiar face emerged from beneath the costume. "Surprise," he said gently.
Nuno's eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open in pure disbelief. "N-no way…" he stammered, his hands flying to his cheeks as if he couldn't trust his own eyes.
Adriano smiled, setting the beard aside and turning his full attention to the boy. "It's really me," he said, his voice soft and sincere. He reached out and ruffled Nuno's messy hair. "And guess what? We're going to make sure your mom gets the help she needs."
Tears sprang to Nuno's eyes, spilling over before he could even attempt to wipe them away. His small hands reached out instinctively, and Adriano pulled him into a tight hug, his strong arms wrapping around the boy with all the warmth and comfort he could muster.
Raul appeared moments later, moving swiftly at Adriano's nod. Adriano whispered instructions in Portuguese, his tone quick but resolute, ensuring everything would be arranged—doctors, transport, whatever it took. Raul placed a reassuring hand on Nuno's shoulder, giving him a smile that seemed to ease some of the tension in the boy's tiny frame.
When they finally broke apart, Adriano reached back into the Santa bag and pulled out something special—a Portugal jersey, his own name and number printed proudly on the back. He signed it right there, handing it to Nuno with a warm smile.
"Now," Adriano said, kneeling down to meet the boy's eyes directly. "You take care of your mom, alright? And don't ever give up on your dreams. Deal? I want to see you in Portugal jersey one day."
Nuno nodded fiercely, his small hands clutching the jersey to his chest like it was made of gold. "Thank you… thank you so much," he whispered, voice cracking under the weight of his emotion.
Adriano smiled, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "Merry Christmas, Nuno."
The crowd around them had grown, whispers turning to murmurs, murmurs to applause. Kate was still filming, her eyes bright and glistening with tears as she captured the moment.
People clapped, some even wiping their eyes as Adriano stood back up, giving Nuno one last pat on the shoulder.
It wasn't just a wish come true for Nuno—it was a miracle. And for Adriano, it was a reminder of why he played, why he cared, and why giving back meant more than any trophy ever could.
As he walked back to Kate, her eyes were brimming with pride. She slipped her hand into his and leaned her head against his shoulder. "That was beautiful, babe. I think I've fallen for you harder." she whispered.
He looked down at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Well, That's what Christmas is all about," he replied, his gaze flickering back to Nuno, who was still clutching the jersey, his face shining with pure, unfiltered joy.
Adriano walked back to their car hugging Kate, feeling satisfied that his simple act might have brought some much deserved happiness for some kids.